Watch Acquires UK Rights To The CW’s ‘Beauty And The Beast’

UKTV’s Watch channel has closed a deal with CBS Studios International to acquire the exclusive first run UK broadcast rights to The CW’s drama series Beauty and the Beast. The deal is for multiple seasons of the drama series, which is set to premiere on Watch in early 2013.

Beauty and the Beast is loosely based on the 1980′s series of the same name and is a modern day take on the classic fairy tale. The drama series follows Detective Catherine Chandler (Kristin Kreuk), a smart, no-nonsense homicide detective. Several years before the start of the series, Catherine witnessed the murder of her mother at the hands of two gunmen. Catherine would have been killed too, but someone – or something – saved her. No one has ever believed her, but she knows it wasn’t an animal that attacked the assassins…it was human. Years have passed, and Catherine is a strong, confident, capable police officer, working alongside her equally talented partner, Tess (Nina Lisandrello). While investigating a murder, Catherine discovers a clue that leads her to a handsome doctor named Vincent Keller (Jay Ryan), who was reportedly killed by enemy fire while serving in Afghanistan in 2002. Catherine learns that Vincent is actually still alive and that it was he who saved her many years before. For mysterious reasons that have forced him to live outside of traditional society, Vincent has been in hiding for the past 10 years to guard his secret – when he is enraged, he becomes a terrifying beast, unable to control his super-strength and heightened senses. Catherine agrees to protect his identity in return for any insight he may have into her mother’s murder. Thus begins a complex relationship between Catherine and Vincent, who are powerfully drawn to each other yet understand that their connection is extremely dangerous for both of them.

Speaking of the acquisition of Beauty and the Beast, Steve Hornsey, General Manager of Watch, said: “The success of Dynamo: Magician Impossible, Grimm and Alcatraz show Watch is a must-have channel for audiences that want to see exclusive new content with a distinctive twist. Beauty and the Beast is one of the most highly anticipated offerings of the new season and I’m thrilled that Watch viewers will see it here first in the UK.”

Catherine Mackin, Director of Programme Acquisitions for UKTV, commented: “CBS’s Beauty and the Beast feels fresh and contemporary while also encompassing an out of the ordinary feel to it which is perfect for Watch’s viewers. We are delighted to be continuing our successful partnership with CBS.”

While Stephen Tague, Senior Vice President for Europe at CBS Studios International, added: “We’re excited that UKTV has acquired CBS’s new take on this classic love story. Beauty and the Beast will appeal to Watch’s younger, dynamic audience, delivering them CBS’s customary high quality storytelling and production values.”

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